Vehicle windshield rain deflector system

A windshield rain deflector system for use on a vehicle movable at a significant rate of speed having a transparent windshield through which an occupant of the vehicle has a particular, forward, desired line of vision when riding in the moving vehicle, comprising:

• at least one longitudinally movable rain deflector shield movable through a series of longitudinally spaced, operative rain deflecting positions each located in front of the windshield and at least in part above the forward line of vision;
• longitudinally extendable support means for movable mounting and carrying the shield on the vehicle;
• actuating means for extending and retracting said support means under the control of a vehicle occupant for selectably positioning said shield in its various operative positions based at least in part on the speed of the moving vehicle, said shield in its operative rain deflecting positions beng disposed and extended laterally as well as vertically across the direction of travel of the vehicle, the forward position and lateral and vertical extensions of said shield producing a free, clear vision zone on the windshield around the forward line of vision of the occupant in spite of rainy conditions, there being a substantial open, separation space between said shield in its operative rain deflecting positions and the windshield.

The method of deflecting rain from the windshield of a moving vehicle which windshield has a viewing area through which the occupant of the vehicle generally looks to see what is ahead of the vehicle, comprising the steps of:

• providing and longitudinally positioning a rain shield out in front of the vehicle at a position above the windshield and longitudinally extending it to a position substantially out in front of and substantially spaced from the windshield sufficient to physically block the rain from impinging on said viewing area, with the forward-most extension of the shield being proportionately determined at least in part with regard to the operating speed of the vehicle with the greater the operating speed, the greater the forward-most position of the shield.